A roundtable discussion on integrity in higher education in Montenegro took place on 7 March in Podgorica's Centre Ville Hotel.

The primary purpose of the event was the presentation of the Baseline Assessment on Integrity in Higher Education guidance document, which provides recommendations on developing tools to fight corruption in the higher education system in Montenegro using the Council of Europe`s approaches. In addition, the event provided an opportunity to gain an insight into the legal and strategic framework of the higher education system of Montenegro and its main challenges, as well as to put forward sound proposals to enhance the academic integrity governance in the country. 

The opening remarks were delivered by Damir Sehovic, Minister of Education of Montenegro, His Excellency the Ambassador Aivo Orav,  Head of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, Radmila Vojvodic, Rector of the University of Montenegro and Angela Longo, Head of Operations in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica. The keynote speakers emphasized that academic integrity needs to be continuously enhanced among educational professionals, academics, students, and civil society. This requires all parties’ commitment to engage into a wider national consultation process.

The roundtable will be followed by a large conference to be held mid-May 2017. The conference will bring together international and regional experts as well as educational professionals and will provide an opportunity for intensive exchange of experiences and good practices.

The roundtable was attended by around 50 participants from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Bureau for Educational Services, the National Library of Montenegro, the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, public and private universities and faculties, embassies, non-governmental organisations and other relevant partners. The event received good media coverage.